22 November 2007

Brussels



Clare and I just spent a long and very cold weekend in Brussels with Kev and Suzanne. We had a great time eating exotic uncooked meats, drinking rather nice beer and sampling the sights and sounds of the city. We headed over to Bruges for a day trip, although the highlight was taking part in a debate in the European Parliament - yawn.

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11 November 2007

Book review: Frankenstein



I don't normally do book reviews, partly because I'm a really slow reader, but this book surprised me so I thought I'd write something about it. I was expecting to read about the green monster complete with bolt through neck, brought to life with electricity. However, none of these elements exist in the original book. Instead it's a sad story describing how Victor Frankenstein becomes obsessed with a scientific experiment to create a life form. The result of which is a polite, well meaning and rather pleasant being with an unfortunate appearance, so disgusting that his creator abandons him without giving him a name. A series of rejections, and the refusal of Frankenstein to create a partner for the monster forces his creation to seek revenge, and to destroy Frankenstein's life. The story is really more about how the scientist attempts to make good his tragic experiment, rather than the trail of destruction left by the monster. At times the book's linear path begins to drag, but it was written by a 19 year old girl in 1818 so I guess I can forgive that!

6 Months Left...



There are now only 6 months left until Clare sits her final medical exams, so the long slog of revising started today with the creation of the 'revision plan'. This mass of paperwork has been stuck to the wall to assist in the planning of time, and to record the coverage of each topic. I'm not sure I quite understand it, but hopefully Clare will by the end of May.

Richard is doing his part by cooking and baking some delicious food. Sadly yesterday's apple pie was not a shining example - bit too much butter in the pastry :¬[